AGC Blog

Imagine that your spouse comes to you and says: “Let’s go on a trip and have some fun.”It sounds intriguing. You ask a few questions to get clarity.

YOU: “So Honey, why do you want to do that?”

HER: “Well, I’m bored. Life seems kind of static lately and I think we should change things up a bit.”

YOU: “Where do you want to go?”

HER: “Heck, let’s just head West.”

YOU: “When do you want to got there?”

HER: “I think some time this year would be good.”

YOU: “What are we going to do there?”

HER: “Let’s just be spontaneous.”

YOU: “How do you want to get there?”

HER: “Let’s drive. We can take turns.”

YOU: “Which vehicle should we take, the new, all-wheel-drive Subaru, the old 60’s beater, the compact with good gas mileage, or the pick up?”

HER: “Let’s just randomly pick one.”

YOU: “Who should we invite to go with us?”

HER: “We’ll drive by a few couple’s homes on the way out of town and ask them if they want to come.”

So for those of you who like to plan for the future, how do you think this trip is going to go? Perhaps a bit like the movie “The Hangover”?

Admittedly this spontaneous trip scenario is a bit far-fetched. Most of us need more clarity, organization and planning in our lives in order to visualize what we want, much less achieve successful results in whatever we are doing.

Yet the answer to these seven questions are not always clearly understood or communicated in most businesses and organizations. In my experience, less than 5% of small business owners and organization leaders have gone through a thoughtful process of answering, much less documenting, these seven questions. What I am told by countless business owners and leaders is: “Everyone knows where we are going and why it is important; I talk about it all the time.”

But most of us can’t read minds. If we ask everyone what the boss’s plan is for the company, we get as many interpretations as the number of people we ask. It is like an orchestra conductor who announces to his musicians: “We are going to rehearse my favorite Mozart opera. Please come to rehearsal ready to contribute at your best level. “ The seven questions would immediately start flowing from his musicians or nothing productive would occur.

Let us orient these seven questions in a manner that if thoughtfully answered will actually create a plan for a business or organization.

Why –Why are we taking this business trip together? Define your purpose or mission for starting and being in this business.

Where –Where do you want this business to go? Create your vision and intention with specific goals and targets.

When –When do you want to achieve your specific goals and targets?

What –What are we going to do? What are the customer’s needs and what products and services are we intending to satisfy them with?

How –How are we going to accomplish customer satisfaction in a profitable manner?

Which –Which specific resources will be required?

Who –Who are the key individuals who want to participate and who are qualified to profoundly help along the way?

Before you begin to answer these questions, consider: who should be working with you to optimally answer the seven questions, and do you have a format in which to document and organize your answers? The format when filled in becomes your documented plan for achieving and sustaining your success.

Many times it is useful to get an outside coach who can impartially guide you through this process and may also be able to supply the right format for documentation, one that also tracks results. The format I recommend is “Path to Success” by The Mastermind Group, Inc.

The key to the right format is clarity, simplicity and ease of use. The right planning tool to guide your business needs to be used and updated once a month. It is like a GPS system that tracks where you are now in relation to where you want to go and that provides the best directions along the way. If you get off track or behind schedule, the new adjustments are updated into the planning format. This updated format keeps the plan “alive” and relevant. It is as close to real time as possible.

An undocumented plan is no plan at all. Could you build or remodel a house without blueprints? A contractor could not bid on your job or know what people are required to do each phase. Without good blueprints you can’t be sure what materials are needed and what the sequence for construction will be.

The people in your organization are going to have difficulty helping you build your company without a documented “blueprint” for action. In order to be effective they need to know the “Path to Success” and where they personally fit into the plans. The team needs to know how everyone’s specialty, knowledge and skills can best be applied. Moreover, if the key people were involved in helping build the plan in the first place, then their level of commitment and understanding should be close to that of the owner. Assuring daily engagement and performance is more likely if your people have a vested interest in the plan’s execution.

Since an undocumented plan is no plan at all, the people may be thinking that the “plan” in the boss’s head is just the boss’s latest ‘&#*%’ idea.

Biography: Bert Holeton (CMC, CPVA, CPBA) is the Founder and CEO of The Mastermind Group, Inc. The purpose of The Mastermind Group, Inc. is to support leaders of organizations and businesses to achieve and sustain success. Since 1980 Mr. Holeton has consulted with over 60 companies in 14 industries ranging in size from startup to Fortune 100. He continues to consult all over North America and now resides in Leavenworth, www.the-mastermind-group.com

The ideal candidate will excel at both written and verbal communication, be extremely detail oriented and able to manage several projects simultaneously. There are often tight deadlines and changing work demands.

Total Site Services, an 8(a) woman owned small disadvantaged general contractor located in Richland, WA, is looking for an experienced Project Manager and Superintendent for federal work in Washington State. Must be willing to travel between Spokane and Tri-Cities. Experience with government IDIQ contracts, design/build, and knowledge of local subcontractors. Please submit resumes to landon@tss8a.com.

Kevcon, Inc. a General Contractor, is looking for an experienced Superintendent in Spokane for a VA hospital job. Experience with government contracts, building/renovating hospitals, and knowledge of Infection Control procedures is required. Must be available for night and weekend work. Please visit the Careers tab on our website www.kevcon.us for more information and to apply.

Summary:

We are seeking a Project Superintendent to be responsible for the supervision, organization, safety, planning and scheduling of the physical execution of projects. The Superintendent leads and manages the field work crews including subcontractors. They assist in the coordination of subcontracts, drawings and specifications including the maintenance of project schedules, daily diaries, project cost control, budgets and equipment.

Job Location:

Our corporate offices are located in San Diego County. This advertisement is for project(s) located in the Spokane, WA area.

Experience:

10+ years’ experience in a Project Superintendent role in a commercial or government construction environment running projects valued at $5M+.

Veteran candidates are desired! We give preference to qualified veterans.

Experience with P6, Timberline and Contract Manager Software is helpful.

Certified professional contractor preferred.

USACE CQM Certification and OSHA 30 preferred.

Must have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

Skills:

Is articulate with excellent verbal and written communication skills

Ability to organize and run direct labor trades and subcontractors

Ability in creating and documenting project schedules and planning

Versed in job cost accounting

Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel and Outlook

Upholds the legal and regulatory requirements of OSHA, city, state and federal governments

Pays close attention to detail

Able to effectively manage time and priorities

Job Duties (Including but not limited to):

Coordinate and supervise the entire construction process ensuring it is completed on time and within budget

Work effectively with all parties involved in the construction process to ensure successful management of project.

Determine the best way to get materials to the building site and the most cost-effective plan and schedule for completing the project.

Divide all required construction site activities into logical steps, budgeting the time required to meet established deadlines. This may require sophisticated estimating and scheduling techniques and use of computers with specialized software.

Oversee the selection of general contractors and trade contractors to complete specific pieces of the project

Determine the labor requirements and, in some cases, supervise or monitor the hiring and dismissal of workers.

Oversee the performance of all trade contractors ensuring that all work is completed on schedule.

Oversee the delivery and use of materials, tools, and equipment; worker productivity and safety; and the quality of construction.

Responsible for obtaining all necessary permits and licenses

Direct or monitor compliance with building and safety codes, other regulations, and requirements set by the project’s insurers.

Maintain safety on the job site.

All other typical responsibilities related to the management and oversight of construction projects.

Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

Moderate levels of stress may occur

Must be available to work nights, weekends, and/or alternate shift schedules

This position requires sitting upright for long periods of time using a computer and constant walking of the job site

Exposure to standard conditions found at construction job sites

Position may require travel

Confidentiality:

Ability to keep proprietary information confidential.

DISCLAIMER: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. We are an equal opportunity employer and a drug free environment.

To help get the word out about the importance of calling before you dig, Paul Teutul Jr., star of the Discovery Channel's "American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior" reality TV show, created a customer 811 Prevention Bike for One Call Concepts.

Because your safety matters, Avista is offering a chance for you to win and design a custom painted motorcycle helmet with the help of Spokane artist Greg Roybal.

Thanks to a partnership between Avista Utilities and Inland Empire Utility Coordinating Council, the bike is soon coming to Spokane.

MAY 18th: Spokane Shock vs. Philadelphia Soul - Area League Football Game

TheInland Northwest AGC Associates Committeewill once again be hosting Cinco de Mayo on Thursday, May 3 at the AGC Building. This event welcomes over 100 AGC members including general contractors, sub-contractors, specialty contractors and industry affiliates.

This event is sponsored entirely by you, our AGC Associate Members as a way to say Thank You to our members and your customers. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity.

New this year - all sponsors will be able to set up a small display table during the event!

The AGC would like to wish all of our members a wonderful holiday weekend. The AGC office will be closed beginning Wednesday, November 23rd at 12pm and will re-open Monday morning, November 28th at 7:30 am. Please drive safe and don't spend too much on Black Friday!